Tabulating machine



Feb. 13, 1940.

B. D. CHAMBERLIN TABULATING MACHINE Filed J3me 10, 19:59 a Sheets-Sheet 1 7 29.10 9

,iiiiiililiiiiiiii KZISA'FLTORNEYS Feb. 13, 1940. B. D CHAMBERLIN 3 TABULATING MACHINE v Filed-June 10, 1959 6 Sheeis-Sheet 2 Feb. 13, 1940. B. D. CHAMBERLIN 2,139,939

' TABULATING MACHINE I Filed June 10, 1939 I s Sheets-Sheet s zis ATTORNEYS B. D. CHAMBERLIN 2,189,939

TABULATING MACHINE Feb. 13, 1940.

s She ets-Sheet 5 Filed June 10, 1939 Feb. 13, 1940;

B. D. CHAMBERLIN TABULATING MACHINE Filed June 10, 1939 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 llllmlllllllll nun-um 'lllllllEllllllllh-1II INVENTOR. Beymnzk/ZMerZz'rL BY WM 3, r $3 ATTORNEYS Patented Feb. 13, 1940 2,189,939 7 TABULATING MACHINE Benjamin D. Chamberlin, Rochester, N. r'., as-

signor to Frederick C. Blomfleld,-Coldwater,

Application June 10, 1939, Serial No. 278,518

20 Claims.. (Ci. 281-1) The present invention relates to tabulating machines and more particularly to a machine for successively presenting'to a desired position, corresponding portions. of separate sheets to facilitate the application of data thereto or for the consideration of previously entered items thereon.

The machine of my invention may be used wherever it is desired to collect figures direct from sales records, cost sheets, distribution sheets of expense, vouchers, as well as for enabling the:

collection or examination of other kinds of financial and statistical data. In many businesses it is necessary to assemble and combine data from a number of different sources, set forth on separate sheets, in order to obtain a desired summary or over-all view of the results individually obtained or recorded at the various sources or on the separate sheets.

An object of my invention is to provide a tabulating machine adapted for efficiently and readily handling a number of separate report or data. sheets in a manner such as to enable rapid totalizing of data appearing on the separate sheets or convenient comparison of the data of the'several sheets with each other.

" Another object of my invention is to provide an improved machine, particularly adapted for the handling of a number of data bearing sheets,

which is of simplified construction, convenient to operate, and comparatively inexpensive to manu-.

facture. I

My invention further contemplates the provision of a machine embodying a table adapted to receive a plurality of sheets or forms, to-.- gether with means for simultaneously advancing the forms thereon, to enable successive presentation of different predetermined or corresponding portions of the forms in juxtaposition on the table to permit the operator to readily compare or summarize data appearing thereon.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will be more particularly set forth in the claims and will appear from the following description, when taken in connection with the' accompanying drawings, in which:

' Fig. l is a front elevation of, a machine embodying my invention; Fig. 2 is a top plan view thereof;

50 Fig. 3 is a view, similar to Fig. 1, partly in section and showing parts of the operating mechanism in dotted lines;

Fig. 4 is a side view of the machine showing the position of the parts at the start of an 55 operation; V

Fig. 5 is a view, taken substantially on the line 55 of Fig. 2 in the direction indicated by the arrows, showing the position of the slide when the paper-gripping fingers are released;

Fi 6 is a view similarto Fig. 5 with the slide 5 in the position in which the paper-fingers grip the sheets of paper; v

Fig. 7 is a top plane view of the right-hand side of the machine with the cover removed;

Fig. 8 is "a view, partly in section, showing" the 10 means for enabling individual operation. of the pping fingers;

Fig. 9 is a sectional view showing one set of paper-gripping fingers in released position and another set in paper-gripping position; 5

Fig. 10 is a sectional view showing a portion of the table with a form sheet in position;

Fig. 11 is a view showing a form sheet of the type capable of being handled by the machine of my invention; 20

Fig. 12 is a view showing the clutch for the driving mechanism in clutched position;

Fig. 13 is a view similar to Fig. 12 with the clutch in released position; and

Fig. 14 is a view showing a somewhat modified 25 form of slide.

The present invention is an improvement on the tabulating machine shown in the copending application of Frederick C. Blomfield and Magnus H. Johanson, Serial No. 209,800, filed May 3 24, 1938,, and relates to a machine on which a plurality of sheets or forms may be assembled with-corresponding portions thereof in juxtaposition so as-to permit the application of data to corresponding portions thereof, the compari- 35 son of such data, or the summarization of such data on a master sheet. The sheet or form shown, by way of example in Fig. 11, corresponds to that of a number of diflerent sheets or forms adapted to be handled by the present machine.

The preferred type of form, adapted to be used with the machine of my invention, has a plurality of columns for the reception of data,'and has its side edges, as shown at 2| and 22, provided with apertures. The columns may be provided with appropriate headings which may relate, for example, to expense accounts, sales records, costs, pay checks, accounts receivable, or other financial or statistical data. For example, the machine might be used in a business where cash is received at and from a number of different sources. The receipts maybe placed on separate sheets in the proper columns at the sources and, at the end of the day or any other convenient time, the sheets may be collected and mounted in the machine of my invention and compared or totalized on a separate master sheet.

The present machine is designed to accommodate a number of data sheets vouchers or forms and has a plane surface or table which is divided into a number of sections forming preferably stationary surfaces disposed adjacent each other. While the machine may be designed so that the table surface extends at an angle to the horizontal, preferably the table surface extends substantially horizontally. The individual table sections correspond in width substantially to the width of the columns of the forms in order that the corresponding columns appearing on the forms may be displayed contiguous to each other to facilitate comparison of the data appearing in such columns, the summarization of the data on a master sheet or the transposing of the same to journals or ledgers, as desired. The sheet supporting surfaces of the individual sections are arranged to permit data to be written in the columns of the different forms and the simultaneous and step by step movement of the forms toa position in registry with the supporting surfaces to bring the corresponding columns of the different forms in juxtapositionrel'ative to each other.

In the drawings I have designated the casing or frame of the machine by the numeral 23. The frame may be of any desired construction and may be provided with suitable legs. The frame has adjacent its top a table or sheet supporting surface, generally indicated by the numeral 24, over which the data sheets or forms are moved to successively position corresponding portions of the forms thereon. As shown more clearly in Fig. 2. the table surface is provided with a series of transversely extending parallel slots 26 through which the ends of the forms extend with a portion of each of the forms lying on the surfaces or table sections between adjacent slots as shown at 21.

Mounted on the table surface in any suitable manner is a T-square or straight edge 28 which is slidably mounted so that it may be moved in a direction parallel to the slots. The T-square serves to line up figures appearing in the corresponding rows of the several form sheets to permit ready visualization thereof. It will be understood that the forms are made of suitable dimensions to fit the machine, the distance between adjacent slots corresponding substantially to the width of the columns of the forms. Where particular sizes of forms are required, the machine may, of course, be modified to accommodate the forms.

As shown more clearly in Figs. 1, 3, and 4, the machine is provided with two movable elements or carriages which are slidably supported in the frame in a manner which will presently appear. One of the carriages is indicated by the numeral 29 and the other by the numeral 3|. The carriages are connected by means, which will be presently described, to chains, the carriage 29 being connected to the chain 32, while the carriage 3| is connected to the chain 33. The chain 32 extends over sprockets 34 and 36, while the chain 33 extends over sprockets 31 and 38. The sprockets are mounted on suitable shafts supported in the frame. The upper shafts 39 are each provided with a hand-wheel, the hand-wheels being indicated by the numerals 4| and .42.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the hand-wheels 4| and 42 are on opposite sides of the machine and are connected so as to operate together by sprockets 43, 44, chains 46, sprockets 41, and shaft 48.

The shaft 48 is carried by the frame of the machine and the sprockets 41 are rigidly mounted on the ends thereof. The mechanism described interconnects the carriages so that by operating either the hand-wheel 4| or the hand-wheel 42 the carriages may be moved simultaneously and in synchronism with each other. The connections are such that while one carriage is moving in an upward direction in the machine, the other is moving downward.

For the purpose of enabling adjustment of the carriages with respect to each other, a clutch, generally indicated by the numeral 49, is provided. The clutch, as shown more clearly in Figs. 12 and-13, comprises a pair of clutch elements 5| one of which is formed integral with the sprocket 44, and the other of which is formed integral with the hand-wheel 4|. The shaft is provided with a pair of grooves 52 in which a spring pressed ball 53, mounted in the hand-wheel hub, is selectively adapted to seat. The hand-wheel 4| is slidably secured to the shaft by a key 54 so that the hand-wheel may be shifted along the shaft to position the ball 53 in either one of the grooves 52. If desired, a spring 56 having one end hearing against the face of the hand-wheel 4|, and the other end bearing against a collar 51, may be provided for normally retaining the clutch elements 5| in engaged position.

In Fig. 12 I have shown the position of the parts when the clutch elements are engaged, and in Fig. 13 I have shown the position of the parts when the clutch elements are disengaged. Upon disengaging the clutch the carriages may be moved upward or downward in the machine independently of each other so as to adjust the spacing between them and thereby adapt the machine for use with forms of different lengths. In addition, upon disengagement of the clutch, both carriages may be moved to their uppermost position to enable the more convenient loading of the machine with forms as will presently appear.

As shown in Fig. '7, the frame of the machine is provided with supports 58 adjacent its corners having slide grooves 59 in which a plate 6| constituting part of one of the .carriages is adapted to slide. Friction shoes 62, secured to the plate 6| by screws 63 and bearing against the supports 58, are adapted to provide sufficient friction between the supports 58 and the plate 6| to retain the carriage in any desired adjusted position when the hand-wheel is released.

Secured to the plate 6| in any suitable manner, as shown at 64 (Figs. 3 and '7), are a plurality of cross plates 66 which extend across and terminate adjacent the other side of the machine, as indicated at 61. The plate 6| and the cross plates 66 constitute the main portions of the carriage and carried by each of the cross plates, as more clearly shown in Figs. 4, '7 and 9, is a cam rod 68. The cam rods are journalled in the plate 6| and brackets 69 carried by the cross plates 66. Each of the cam rods, as shown more clearly in Fig. 9, has a cam surface adapted to be moved into and out of engagement with a plurality of spring fingers 1|. The spring fingers 1| are mounted on the plates 66, as shown at 12, and are sprung so that they normally extend away from the plates as shown at the left'in Fig. 9. Adjacent their ends rounded projections 13 are provided which are adapted to register with the apertures in the forms and with apertures 14 formed in the plates.

In Fig. 9 I have shown at the left the spring fingers in released position and at the right the portions 2| or 22 of the forms and the forms are gripped by the spring fingers, as shown in the drawings.

As more clearly shown in Fig. 7, each of the cam rods 68 extends through the plate SI and is provided at its projecting end with a disc 11 which is pinned to the cam rod. The discs 11 are each provided with a pair of pins 18 and 19 which are preferably spaced around the disc 180 from each other. The pins 18 and 19 are adapted to be engaged by projections 8| formed on a slide element 82 (Figs. and 6). The slide element is mounted in suitable guide brackets 83 carried by the plate 6| and is adapted to he slid longitudinally of the machine to cause simultaneous rotation of the cam rods 68. The slide 82 is provided with a stop 84 adapted to be engaged by a plunger 86. The plunger 88 is provided with a hand piece 81 and a spring 88 for normally urging the plunger in a direction to the right, as viewed in Figs. 5 or 6. Secured to the plate 6|, as shown at 89 and to the slide as shown at 9|, is a spring 92 which normally urges the slide in a direction to the right as viewed in Figs. 5 and 6.

Upon pressing the plunger in a direction to the left, that is to the position shown in Fig. 5,

the slide 82 is moved to the left against the action of the spring 92, so that the projections 8| on the slide engage the pins 18 to rotate the discs H in a clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 5. Rotation of the discs 11 in a clockvvis direction rotates the cam rods 68 so that th spring fingers will snap out into the position shown at the left in Fig. 9. Theforms may then be inserted between the spring fingers H and the plates 66. Upon releasing the plunger the spring 88 moves the plunger to theright, as viewed in Fig. 5, and the spring 92 moves' the slide 82 in the same direction so that the parts are positioned as shown in Fig. 6.

It will now be appreciated that the spring fingers associated with the carriage are released simultaneously when desired by operation of the plunger 81 For the purposeof operating the spring fingers so that each form may be clamped or positioned in or released from the carriage individually, a plurality of elements 93 are provided (Figs. 4, 7 and 8). The elements 93 are supported in the frameand have finger pieces 94 for enabling their rotation and bifurcated ends 95. The bifurcated ends are adapted to straddle the pins 19 (Figs. 5 and 6) on the discs TI to shift the discs in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction (Fig. 8) so as to move each set of spring fingers individually into and fingers are released, except for the finger piece at the extreme right. This latter finger piece is in the position it occupies after the cam rod associated therewith has been rotated and the spring fingers actuated thereby pressed into gripping relation with the form.. By actuating the finger pieces each set of spring fingers may be individually operated to release or grip the forms.

* the machine.

While I have described only one of the carriages of the machine, it will be'appreciated that the parts thereof are duplicated in connection with the other carriage. As shown in Fig. 7 the cross plates 66 of the respective carriages are relatively closely spaced from each other. Since the carriages pass each other during operation .Of the machine, it is desirable to provide means for insuring the spacing of the parts. Such means may take the form of spacing bars or guides 95 one set of which is mounted on the cross plates 88 of one carriage while the other set is mounted on the cross plates of the other carriage (see'Fig. 4).

As shown more clearly in Figs. 3 and 4, each of the carriages 29 and 3| is provided with 9. depending portion 91 to which is secured a bracket 98. Each of the brackets 98 has a flanged portion 99 from which a lug ||l| projects. The lug llli is adapted to lie between a pair of adjacent links in the chain so that upon moving the chain the associated carriage is moved therewith. For the purpose of enabling the lugs I 8| to pass at least part way around and with the sprockets 38, the sprockets are provided with slots I02 for the reception of the lugs.

While the parts of the carriages may be dupli cates of each other, it is sometimes desirable with certain types of forms, to employ a different type of form-gripping means. For example, if the form is provided only at one end with apertures, it may be desirable to employ spring clips to grasp the forms at one of the ends thereof instead of the type of spring fingers shown.

In conditioning the machine for operation it .is usually desirable to bring both of the carsecured in position by separately actuating the finger pieces 94 alternately on opposite sides, of After the forms have all been placed in the position shown in Fig. 9, the carriage 3| is lowered. The carriage 3| preferably is dropped to a position such that the forms are drawn taut, as indicated in Fig. 3, between the spring fingers. The clutch is then reengaged.

After the carriage 3| has been moved to its lowermost position with the desired columns at the extreme right of the forms in superimposed.

relation with the table surface, the entries in the last columns may be compared or summarized on a master sheet. As soon as the last column of each of the sheets has been properly filled in, either of the hand-wheels 4| and 42 may be operated to shift the forms so as to bring the next adjacent column of the forms in position on the table surface. The operation is completed by successively operating the hand-wheel or 42 .to successively position the columns of the forms on the table surface. When the tabulating operation has been completed the 'hand pieces 81 may be moved inward to rotate the cam rods and permit the spring fingers to move to paper-rej the carriage 3|, which is then at the top of the machine; are first released. Then the clutch is disengaged and the carriage 29 moved to the top 'of the machine and its spring fingers released.

The forms are then removed from the machine and the carriages are in the proper position to receive a new set of forms.

One of the features of my invention is the provision of means (the finger pieces 90 and. associated parts) whereby the forms may be individually released, taken out of the machine and replaced without disturbing the position of the remaining forms. That is, during the operation of the machine, if it is desired to remove one or more forms, they may be removed and replaced, if desired, without disturbing the remainder of the forms. If the removed forms are replaced, they will be in the proper position, with respect to the remainder of the forms, for continuing the tabulating or other operation.

In Fig. 14 I have shown a slightly different slide arrangement in which the pins lie in slots I06 and a plunger I01 at each side of the machine may be operated to actuate the slide. 'Actuation of the plunger I01 at the right side of the machine releases the spring fingers and actuation of the plunger I01 at the left causes the spring fingers to grip the forms. It will be understood that with this arrangement, the finger pieces 94 and their associated parts may be eliminated as the spring fingers are both moved to released and to form-gripping position by actuation of the slide. Thus it is necessary to have at least one end of all theforms in proper position before the fingers are moved to form-gripping position. Since this is a relatively difiicult thing to accomplish, because of the necessity of bringing the forms into accurate registry with spring fingers before actuating the slide, the above-described arrangement, wherein the gripping fingers for each form may be separately actuated, is preferred.

Preferably the table surface is shaped as shown in Fig. 10, so that the surface for receiving the forms is somewhat curved. Further, the margins of the slots are rounded as shown at I03 so as to provide smooth edges over which the forms pass. The rounding of the surfaces over which the forms pass enables the forms to lie against the surfaces and thereby enables indicia to be applied readily to the forms as they are intermittently moved through the machine.

The machine shown and described, for the purpose of simplifying the drawings, is adapted to accommodate only a limited number of forms. However, by increasing the size of the machine and the number of slots in the table surface the machine may be arranged to accommodate any desired number of forms; Moreover, it is evident that by merely lengthening the slots and correspondingly changing the carriages, the length of the forms which the machine is adapted to accommodate may be increased or, if desired, a two tier or bank machine may be provided. That is, the slots may be sufiiciently lengthened to accommodate two complete sets of forms in the machine simultaneously to thereby enable the carrying on of two tabulating operations at the same time.

It will be appreciated that the machine of my invention enables an appreciable saving in time in tabulating or comparing data. When, for example, the data from as many as twenty-five forms is to be tabulated on a master sheet, the physical handling of the forms causes a considerable time loss as well as introducing the possibility of error. With the machine of my inven tion the twenty-five data carrying forms may be mounted in the machine with a master sheet at the extreme right. The machine may then be operated to successively present the corresponding columns of the data and master sheets. The data in the separate rows, with the convenient aid of the T-square, may then be set up on an adding machine, totalized and the sum placed in the proper row of the master sheet. After one column of the master sheet has been filled, the machine may be actuated to bring an additional set of columns in superimposed relation with the table and the tabulating operation repeated. After the operation has been completed, the forms are removed from the machine and the required data'has been placed on the master sheet.

While I have shown and described the preferred form of my invention, it will be apparent that various changes and modifications may be made therein, particularly in the form and relation of parts, without departing from the spirit of my invention as set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a machine of the class described, a series 'of spaced adjacently disposed stationary surfaces for supporting data bearing sheets, movable means for engaging both ends of each of the sheets, and means for moving said movable means to position successively predetermined portions of the sheets on said stationary surfaces, said movable means maintaining the sheets taut and unrolled between their ends.

2. In a machine of the class described, a series of spaced adjacently disposed stationary surfaces for supporting data bearing sheets, movable means for engaging one end of each of the sheets, movable means for engaging the other end of each of the sheets, and means for moving both of said movable means as a whole and with respect to the stationary surfaces to position successively predetermined portions of the sheets on said stationary surfaces.

3. In a machine of the class described, a series of spaced adjacently disposed stationary surfaces for supporting data bearing sheets, movable means for engaging one end of each of the sheets, movable means for engaging the other end of each of the sheets,'and means for moving both of said movable means in synchronism in opposite directions, said movable means maintaining the sheets taut and unrolled between their ends and being movable as a whole with respect to the stationary surfaces.

4. In a machine of the class described, a table having a plurality of slots therein forming a series of adjacently disposed stationary surfaces for supporting data bearing sheets adapted to lie with the ends of the sheets extending through said slots, movable means for engaging both ends of each of the sheets, and means for moving said' movable means to position successively predetermined corresponding portions of the sheets on said stationary surfaces, said movable means maintaining the sheets taut and unrolled between their ends and being movable as a whole with respect to the stationary surfaces.

5. In a machine of the class described, a series of spaced adjacently disposed stationary sur-' faces for supporting data bearing sheets, a movable carriage having means for releasably engaging one end of' each of the sheets, a second movable carriage having means for releasably engaging the other ends of the sheets, and means for moving said carriages to position successively predetermined portions of the sheets on said stationary surfaces.

6. In a machine of the class described, a series of spaced adjacently disposed stationary surfaces for supporting data bearing sheets, a movable carriage having means for releasably engaging one end of each of the sheets, a second movable carriage having means for releasably engaging the other ends of the sheets, and means for moving said carriages in synchronism and in opposite directions to position successively prede-' termined portions of the sheets on said stationary surfaces.

7. In a machine of the class described, a series of spaced adjacently disposed stationary surfaces for supporting data, bearing sheets, a movable carriage having means for releasably engaging one end of each of the sheets, a second movable .through which the ends of data bearing sheets are adapted to be extended, means including separately actuated elements for engaging the ends of each of the sheets, and means for releasing the corresponding ends of all of the sheets simultaneously.

9. In a machine of the class described having a table with a plurality of parallel slots therein through which the ends of data bearing sheets are adapted to be extended, means including separately actuated elements for engaging the ends of each of the sheets, means for releasing the corresponding ends of all of the sheets simultaneously, and means for moving all of the sheets over said table in step by step movements to position corresponding portions of the sheets successively on said table surface.

10. In a machine of the class described having a table with a plurality of parallel slots therein through which the ends of data bearing sheets are adapted to be extended, means including separately actuated elements for engaging the ends of each of the sheets, means for releasing the corresponding ends of all of the sheets simultaneously, means for moving all of the sheets over said table in step by step movements to position corresponding portions of the sheets successively on said table surface, said last mentioned means including a pair of carriages, and means for v moving said carriages in synchronism in opposite directions.

11. In a machine of theclass described wherein a surface is adapted to support a plurality of data bearing sheets with the ends of the sheets extending through slots formed in said surface, an element having a plurality of sheet gripping fingers supported thereby, means for actuating all of said fingers simultaneously to grip one end of one of the sheets, a second element having a.

plurality of sheet gripping fingers supported thereby, means for actuating all of said second fingers simultaneously to grip the other end of said sheet, said elements being movable in planes parallel to each other, and means for moving said elements in opposite directions in synchronism.

12. In a machine of the class described wherein a surface is adapted to support a plurality of data bearing sheets with the ends of the sheets extending through slots formed in said surface,

an element having a plurality of sheet gripping fingers supported thereby, means for actuating all of said fingers simultaneously to grip one end of one of the sheets, a second element having a plurality of sheet gripping fingers supported thereby, means for actuating all of said second fingers simultaneously to grip the other end of said sheet, said elements being movable in planes parallel to each other, means for moving said elements in opposite directions in synchronism, and means for moving said elements in the same direction when desired.

13. In a machine of the class described, a table having a plurality of parallel slots formed therein through" which the ends of data bearing sheets may be extended, a carriage having a plurality of sets of fingers,-each of said sets of fingers being adapted to engage the corresponding end of each of said sheets, a second carriage having a plurality of sets offingers, each of said sets of fingers being adapted to engage the other corresponding ends of said sheets, said sheets being mounted in said carriage so that the sheets lie in individual parallel loops with the ends extending through adjacent slots, and means for moving said carriages.

14. In a machine of the class described, a table having a plurality of parallel slots formed therein through which the ends of data bearing sheets may be extended, a carriage having a plurality of sets of fingers, each of said sets of fingers being adapted to engage the corresponding end of each oi said sheets, a second carriage having a plurality of sets of fingers, each of said sets of fingers being adapted to engage the other corresponding ends of said sheets, said sheets being mounted in said carriage so that the sheets lie in individual parallel loops with the ends extending through adjacent slots, and means for moving said carriages simultaneously in opposite directions.

15. In a machine of the class described, a table having a plurality of parallel slots formed therein through which the ends of data bearing sheets may be extended, a carriage having a plurality of sets of fingers, each of said sets of fingers being adapted to engage the corresponding end of each of said sheets, a second carriage having a plurality of sets of fingers, each of said sets of fingers being adapted to engage the other corresponding ends of said sheets, said sheets being mounted in said carriage so that the sheets lie in individual parallel loopswith the ends extending through adjacent slots, means for moving said carriages simultaneously in synchronism in opposite directions, and means for moving said carriages separately when desired.

16. In a machine ofthe class described having a table with a plurality of parallel slots therein through which the ends of data bearing sheets are adapted to be extended, means for engaging and disengaging each end of each of the sheets separately, and means for releasing the ends of the sheets simultaneously when desired.

17. In a machine of the class described, a table having a plurality of slots therein forming a series of adjacently disposed stationary surfaces for supporting data bearing sheets, each sheet being adapted to lie with the ends thereof extending through adjacent slots, movable means for engaging one end of each of the sheets, movable means for engaging the other end of each of the sheets, and means for moving both of said movable means to position successively predetermined portions of the sheets on said stationary surfaces, said movable means maintaining the sheets taut and unrolled between their ends and being movable as a whole with respect to the stationary surfaces.

18. In a machine of the class describedja table having a plurality of slots therein forming a series of adjacently disposed stationary surfaces for supporting data bearing sheets, each sheet being adapted to lie with the ends thereof extending through adjacentslots, movable means for engaging one end of each of the sheets, movable means for engaging the other end of each of the sheets, and means for moving both of said movable means in synchronism in opposite directions, said movable means maintaining the sheets taut and unrolled between their ends and being movable as a wholewith' respect to the stationary surfaces. V

19. In a machine of the class described having a table witha plurality of parallel slots therein through which the ends of data bearing sheets are adapted to be extended, means for engaging and disengaging each end of the sheets separately, and means for moving said engaging means with respect to the table surface, said engaging means maintaining the sheets unrolled between their ends.

20. In a machine of the class described, in combination, a table surface having a plurality of parallel slots therein, said slots being arranged so that a plurality of sheets may be supported on the surfaces between the slots with the ends of each of the sheets extending through adjacent slots, means located below the table surface and engaging both ends of each of the sheets for holding the sheets taut and moving the sheets I step by step successively to position different cor- BENJAMIN D. CHAMBERLIN. 

